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Hallowe’en is almost here and I find myself in a contemplative mood. I’m thinking about Samhain, and the ancient roots of this end-of-harvest celebration.

Random bits of myth and legend float to mind, swirling like deeply coloured leaves in the low-ground wind of a crisp late fall afternoon.

Following my workout at the gym, I overhear the yoga teacher’s closing meditation encouraging us to acknowledge our dark or shadow side. I pause. I’m listening.

I have fond memories of trick-or-treating as a kid. Funny what’s happened to some of my memories over time…there’s a magical, meaning-making haze surrounding special occasions like Hallowee’en and Christmas. A type of perfection, frozen in time, that makes me nostalgic for the good old days. Wow, can I be getting that old already!? 😉

I have to admit that somehow it doesn’t seem as perfect taking Jax to the nearby mall to trick-or-treat. But, as always, I know it’s what I make of it that counts.

In the spirit of the season, last night I whipped up Colin Cowie’s Pumpkin Fritters with Vanilla Ice Cream. (See page 258 of the cookbook.) These are essentially pumpkin-flavoured mini donuts! (Yes, I know there are a lot of mini donut lovers out there.) Little dollops of dough made with 100% pure pumpkin, quickly pan fried in veggie oil, topped with tasty cinnamon sugar and served alongside vanilla ice cream.

Great tasting, very quick and easy to make, and a delightfully uncomplicated ingredient list. Assuming you have canned pumpkin on hand, you probably have everything else you’ll need.

Happy Hallowe’en. I hope your festivities are magical and memorable. Some day today will be the good old days. Enjoy!